Date of Graduation

Summer 12-13-2024

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Program

Kaiser cohort MSN capstone

First Advisor

Catherine Coleman, DNP., RN, PHN, CPHQ, CNL

Second Advisor

Carla Martin, DNP, RN, CIC, CNL, NEA-BC, FACHE

Abstract

Problem: Noise in hospitals disrupts patient well-being, recovery, and satisfaction. A 120-bed community hospital in South San Francisco consistently scored below the national average for nighttime quietness (Medicare, 2023).

Context: Over six months, a multidisciplinary committee launched the Quiet at Night (QAN) Program, focusing on the high-acuity telemetry unit. The program utilized Kotter’s 8 Steps Model and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement (MFI) to tackle nighttime noise issues.

Interventions: Quiet hours were established from 8:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Patients were provided an “Enhanced Sleep Menu” that included a sleep sound machine and “sleep kits” (eye masks and earplugs). Equipment alarms were adjusted to reduce unnecessary noise, creating an environment conducive to rest. The QAN committee also distributed T-shirts as part of its promotional outreach.

Measures: The primary outcome was assessed using National Research Corporation (NRC) real-time metrics, reflecting organizational data and trends in Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores. Nightly audits were conducted to evaluate patient utilization and staff adherence to the interventions.

Results: In six months, the program reached a satisfaction score of 50%. Staff adherence to the interventions remained consistently high, as demonstrated by nightly audit results.

Conclusions: The QAN initiatives significantly reduced nighttime noise disturbances and enhanced patients’ sleep quality. To ensure sustainable outcomes, organizational leaders must support multi-faceted interventions and unit-based staff engagement. An interdisciplinary QAN leadership team is essential to provide oversight, address barriers, offer incentives, and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

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